President Tsai welcomes President-elect Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay to Taiwan
President-elect Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay, accompanied by his wife, arrived in Taiwan on July 11 at the head of a delegation for a five-day visit until July 15 at the invitation of our government. Presidential Office Spokesperson Olivia Lin (林聿禪) stated that President Tsai Ing-wen offered a warm welcome to President-elect Peña and his delegation on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan.
Spokesperson Lin noted that this visit is particularly significant as it coincides with July 12, the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Paraguay. Moreover, she added, this is President-elect Peña's first visit to Taiwan for 24 years, having last been here in 1999. President Tsai and Vice President Lai will each meet with the delegation and jointly host a banquet in their honor to exchange views on bilateral cooperation and matters of shared interest.
Spokesperson Lin stated that the delegation also includes incoming Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Presidential Chief Secretary Lea Giménez Duarte, Finance Minister Carlos Fernández Valdovinos, and Industry Minister Francisco Javier Giménez García de Zúñiga.
Spokesperson Lin said that Taiwan and Paraguay have long maintained close cooperation in such fields as technology, medicine, economic affairs, education, and agriculture, and that Paraguay has long spoken up at international venues in firm support of Taiwan's international participation. The spokesperson added that the decision by President-elect Peña to make Taiwan the first Asian country he has visited following his electoral victory clearly demonstrates that the incoming Paraguayan administration will attach great importance to ties with Taiwan and to the future development of our bilateral relationship.
Noting that President Tsai visited Paraguay twice in 2016 and 2018, and that President Mario Abdo Benítez of Paraguay also visited Taiwan twice, Spokesperson Lin said that the people and governments of our two countries enjoy frequent and close exchanges. The spokesperson expressed our hope that this visit will further deepen our friendship, enhance the well-being of our peoples, and help us work together for the development of global democracy.